Northern Bahr el Ghazal unveils SSP 40 billion budget for 2025/2026

AWEIL – Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Minister of Finance, Peter Akot Dut, on Monday unveiled a proposed SSP 40 billion budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year before the State Legislative Assembly, outlining an ambitious spending plan centred on economic growth, improved service delivery, and long-term community development.

The budget, he said, will rely on a combination of national government support and locally generated revenue to meet the state’s priorities for the coming year.

According to the minister, the financing structure includes SSP 8 billion expected from national government grants and transfers, SSP 9 billion from the state block grant, and SSP 4 billion from taxes and other state-driven revenues.

Akot noted that the total proposed expenditure stands at SSP 40,527,769,253, reflecting the government’s intention to balance essential services with broader development ambitions.

Presenting the budget, Akot emphasised that the spending plan is crafted to “promote growth and improve the community,” with a substantial SSP 16 billion dedicated to building a foundation for future development.

Education remains a key focus area, with SSP 1.3 billion set aside to motivate teachers, strengthen learning environments, and expand access to quality education for children across the state. He said the government aims to enrich learning opportunities and support a skilled future workforce.

In the health sector, the minister announced an allocation of SSP 1 billion, emphasising the need to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including well-equipped hospitals and life-saving services.

Akot added that the budget also prioritises economic resilience by empowering farmers, investors, and innovators through targeted interventions intended to encourage productivity and sustainable growth.

Infrastructure development is another important component, with SSP 448 million earmarked for roads, public facilities, and other key projects.

Additional allocations include SSP 87 million for conditional education grants, SSP 16 million for water, SSP 58 million for animal resources, and SSP 42 million for other priority areas that support social equity and community well-being.

Following the budget presentation, the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, Abuk Jiel Dhieu, referred the spending proposal to the specialised committee on economic and planning.

The committee is expected to conduct a detailed review and present its findings to the assembly within 21 days, paving the way for deliberations and potential approval of the state’s financial roadmap for the year ahead.